To answer that, we need to start in the nineteenth century.

Nineteenth century Manhattan was one of the busiest seaports in the world.  Sailing vessels carrying cargo approached it continuously.  During the winter season, October through May, ships could not stop if fierce storms kicked up.

These storms constantly blew ships off course, many toward New Jersey where hidden sand bars caused shipwrecks within sight of the shore.  Ship and crew could be lost in a matter of minutes. Coastal areas of New Jersey were committed to safe seafaring voyages because they were major shipbuilding centers.

 

A seasoned Navigator takes charge.

Captain Douglas Ottinger (d.1899) was an American ship commander who spent his life battling enemy ships, pillagers, smugglers, pirates, and treacherous sea storms.  In 1843 he organized the first large scale project to keep these coastal areas safe.

He supervised the construction of America’s first life-saving stations on the coast of New Jersey.  These permanent beach buildings housed equipment and boats used by “surf men” to rescue passengers from shipwrecks. They were volunteers.  They were fearless.  They ran into raging storms with nothing more than rowboats, and guts.

 

Resiliency measures = 21st century coastal defense.
Today the commitment to coastline protection lives on in countless seaside communities by local public officials who enact innovative resiliency measures to defend the coast.

They know that resiliency efforts save lives, safeguards the environment, and that it is smart fiscal policy.  They know that every $1 spent on resiliency measures saves tax payers $4 in rebuilding costs following a super storm.

 

Green infrastructure keeps seaside towns safer, cleaner and healthier. 

Mayors, commissioners, council members, managers, and clerks in coastal areas know their efforts lower the carbon footprint, reduce energy use, conserve water, provide local green jobs, and help keep municipal operating and finance costs, as well as taxes low for everyone.

 

America’s coast towns are fearless experimenters and green engineering incubators.  

They’re developing innovative solutions in green building, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, alternative transportation, public finance, and more. Captain Ottinger himself would be proud the men and women featured in Ottinger Post carrying out the mission that keeps beach communities safe and economically vibrant in the age of super storms.